The opposition parties have long been staging protests, demanding a ban on liquor in Tamil Nadu. They have been demanding the shut down of all the shops owned by Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) – the Tamil Nadu government-owned company – that has monopoly over wholesale and retail vending of alcoholic beverages in the state.

On Monday, the protest took a violent turn as young protesters set three liquor shops on fire.

AIADMK government, which had agreed to his demand, shut down the shop. However, Perumal's death enraged his supporters even more. The protesters now seek complete prohibition of liquor in the entire state.

The BJP too held a protest demanding shut down of all TASMAC shops in the state earlier in July this year.